Escape from Reality - 10 night live trip report - The Escape has begun!

[puggymom]

Welcome my to my live trip report.

This is me on my first trip, Summer, 1972



And me from last Thanksgiving



This is a solo trip, with a couple of meets scheduled and a few non Disney activities too.

As for why I choose this title is because my job is just overwhelming right now. I work insane hours and still it isn’t enough. Just ask my mother. Recently I took a day off to go into NYC for shopping and the King Tut exhibit. She will tell you I spent half of my day off on the blackberry. We have finally added someadditional staff members but they just started and need to time to get up to speed and haven’t been introduced to the clients yet.

I do love the work I do and it is so interesting, just that there is too much. But I am grateful everyday that I have it and I can pay my mortgage and take vacations, but when a job takes over your life entirely, it is really overwhelming.

So much so that I am doing something that I swore I never would do. Take my blackberry on vacation with me.

So if you see me next week, please don’t judge me. It’s take it with me or come back to over 1000 emails that will completely bury me. No that isn’t a typo or an exaggeration. I get about 125 -150 emails a day. Add that my first 2 days back at work I have to travel to Chicago, I will be out of the office 2 solid weeks.

So I need an escape to my happy place and despite having the blackberry with me it will still be an escape compared to what it is now.

Now, I know there are some of you that are wondering why solo and is it any fun?

YES!

But to be honest I used to feel the same way about traveling solo.

NO WAY!

Until I was sent to a week long conference in Orlando. The company I worked for pushed for the Saturday stay over. I took full advantage and booked the first flight down on Saturday morning and was able to spend the weekend park hopping.

While I was a bit nervous about touring the parks solo, I had a great time that weekend. I was starting to see the advantage of solo traveling.

Monday and Tuesday at the conference, were days devoted to one topic each day while the rest of the week was a series of 1.5 hour talks throughout the day). Monday’s lecture was great, the speaker really engaged the group.

Then Tuesday came along. The speaker handed out a power point presentation and then proceeded to read from it.

Word for word.

In a monotone.

No questions were being taken.

I quickly realized that I could just read the power point on the plane home.

And I don’t read in a monotone.

While not wanting to be rude, I waited for a break in the lecture to leave and then just didn’t return.

After stopping by my hotel room to change, I took off for MGM, grabbed lunch and proceeded to spend the afternoon riding ToT and RNRC.

All afternoon.

Just ToT and RNRC.

It was pretty quiet there that day (May, 2003) and the rides were pretty much walk ons.

It was wonderful!

That afternoon is still one of my favorite WDW memories.

It was then that I realized maybe solo traveling isn’t such a bad idea after all.

The freedom it offers is fantastic.

So welcome aboard to my much needed 10 night escape from reality.

Next up – The Plan

[Disneyland_Mama]

from your favorite Californian!

Have a fabulous trip!

[emmysmommy]

I may have to take a solo trip to WDW in the near future so it is good to get someone else's perspective.

Yeah about that conference speaker.... it would have been funny if you heard snoring coming from the crowd!

[vicceja]

Have a great trip! Have three young boys so solo trips won't happen in a long time for me!

[Mary Pops In]

I'll be following along closely, since I booked my first solo trip for November. I'm interested in learning what restaurants you have booked. Have fun despite the blackberry.

[PrincessV]

It's not all solo... I'M GONNA SEE MO! I'M GONNA SEE MO!


That's for having to bring the Blackberry. No judging here at all; just sympathy. Will a few spins on Kumba and Gwazi help take your mind off it?!

[kaysmommie]

Hi there,
Glad your doing another TR haven't seen you on the boards in a while. I love your retro Disney picture from your first trip. It's so cute! I have a few pics like that from my first trip as well. I'm looking forward to hearing more about your trip plans.
Guess what we welcomed into our family a month ago? A pug puppy , we named her Lola. Just wanted to share that with you since I have admired your doggy pics fora while now.

[jcc0621]

Originally Posted by puggymom

This is me on my first trip, Summer, 1972



And me from last Thanksgiving

You haven't changed one bit!

Originally Posted by puggymom

So much so that I am doing something that I swore I never would do. Take my blackberry on vacation with me.

You gotta do what yuo gotta do

Originally Posted by puggymom

Then Tuesday came along. The speaker handed out a power point presentation and then proceeded to read from it.

Word for word.

In a monotone.

No questions were being taken.

I quickly realized that I could just read the power point on the plane home.

And I don’t read in a monotone.

DOn't you just love those types of presentations

Originally Posted by PrincessV

It's not all solo... I'M GONNA SEE MO! I'M GONNA SEE MO!

Show off

Originally Posted by puggymom

Will a few spins on Kumba and Gwazi help take your mind off it?!

Will Leo ride those?

Late...but I am here. Can't wait to read more!

[DisneyJo]

Your favourite non-Brit is here

[puggymom]

Originally Posted by Disneyland_Mama

from your favorite Californian!

Have a fabulous trip!

Thanks T

Originally Posted by emmysmommy

I may have to take a solo trip to WDW in the near future so it is good to get someone else's perspective.

Yeah about that conference speaker.... it would have been funny if you heard snoring coming from the crowd!

Glad to have you along!

Originally Posted by vicceja

Have a great trip! Have three young boys so solo trips won't happen in a long time for me!

Thanks and welcome

Originally Posted by Mary Pops In

I'll be following along closely, since I booked my first solo trip for November. I'm interested in learning what restaurants you have booked. Have fun despite the blackberry.

I have some good ADR's trying some new places this trip.

Originally Posted by PrincessV

It's not all solo... I'M GONNA SEE MO! I'M GONNA SEE MO!


That's for having to bring the Blackberry. No judging here at all; just sympathy. Will a few spins on Kumba and Gwazi help take your mind off it?!

Can't wait until I see you guys, been much to long!

Originally Posted by kaysmommie

Hi there,
Glad your doing another TR haven't seen you on the boards in a while. I love your retro Disney picture from your first trip. It's so cute! I have a few pics like that from my first trip as well. I'm looking forward to hearing more about your trip plans.
Guess what we welcomed into our family a month ago? A pug puppy , we named her Lola. Just wanted to share that with you since I have admired your doggy pics fora while now.

I need pics of Lola!

BTW how's your son, last time we "talked" wasn't he having some tests being done?

Originally Posted by jcc0621

You haven't changed one bit!

Hi Janet

Originally Posted by DisneyJo

Your favourite non-Brit is here

Yes, my favorite non Brit! Glad you had time between your golf games

[puggymom]

So now for the Plan.

If you can call it that.

See I used to be the micro Planner as in I would have spreadsheets that detailed each day’s activities and everything else associated with a Disney trip.

If you want to see an uber planner, let me introduce you to DL Mama

Now I just keep a DVC point spreadsheet for the most part.

Oh DVC, yes I bought in in 2007. BWV is my home resort. I love the Epcot resort area!

I think having DVC helps make me less of a planner, knowing I will be back with that prepaid lodging.

Anyhow, back to this trip.

I am not staying DVC.

HUH?!?!?

See last year I managed 4 trips on points, including Thanksgiving with Mom, a.k.a. Murph.

Then DVC did a few things that have me less than a happy camper. I just felt I needed a break from them.

And I have 2 gift trips coming up next year that I want to book 1 brdms for. I am taking Murph for Mother’s Day and my youngest niece for her birthday. I have 6 nieces and nephews and bit by bit I have taken them on trips, some Disney, some not. It’s Alyssa’s turn next year and she has said she wants to take Mickey’s boat to Disney. I interpret that as a land/sea combo trip.

I need to save my points.

So, as I stated I love the Epcot resorts. I was hoping to get a great AP rate at either YC, BC or BW. Then I started lurking on the resorts board and saw the Dolphin/Swan thread. HMM, never occurred to me, just never think of them. I have frequently gotten off at the boat dock there and walked back to BW, they seem nice enough.

I found a great rate on a Swan standard room and even with the resort charge and parking charge it still would be cheaper than any of the WDW Epcot resorts with a 40% off rate. So I booked it.

Then when I was checking reviews I found an incredible rate on Expedia for a balcony room /BW view for a couple $’s cheaper than I had booked the standard room for. So I switched my reservation and booked the balcony room.

Everyone says the Swan is less hustle and bustle than the Dolphin and that sounds perfect for me!

Oh wait, before I get to Disney, I have a few other things planned:

Fly down late Wednesday (I am working, but leaving early).

Staying at one of the Marriot’s for 2 nights (I get super cheap rates through work, for up to 4 night stays) and going to Seaworld on Thursday.

Friday morning getting up early and driving to Tampa so I can go to Busch Gardens.

In 2007 I finally got there and they got some great coasters! It was unbearably hot and humid with rain (BTW it was October) that I didn’t stay as long as I wanted. I decided that next time I would arrange it so I was overnight and could enjoy the park over 2 mornings with an afternoon break.

I do think it is a one day park, but I feel I missed so much last time. I want to stop and smell the roses this time. And see a fellow Disser too!

Then Saturday I drive to WDW and check in for a week at the Swan.

I do have some ADR’s and have picked which park for which day but that is about it. BTW, I am still getting decent ADR’s despite free dining. The Dining website makes finding ADR’s much easier as you can search across multiple locations at one time.

I am planning lots of down time as I just need to relax and read a book. I am bringing 2 with me. Yes, I still read the old fashion way. Don’t like the idea of a Kindle poolside for a variety of reasons (water, theft, etc). Plus I love the feel of a book.

So that’s the plan.

Next update will be live from Florida!


24 hours from now I will be on the plane heading South!

[indiesgirl4ever]

I'm in! Can't wait to here how a solo trip can be interesting! (not to be rude in any form just very curious and wondering if its possible to take a solo trip and have fun, i guess so!) Please give us tons of tips for such! might plan one!

[PrincessV]

Originally Posted by puggymom

Then DVC did a few things that have me less than a happy camper. I just felt I needed a break from them.

I hear ya. But just so you know - taking a break worked its magic!

Friday morning getting up early and driving to Tampa so I can go to Busch Gardens.

Um, we've talked about morning rush hour, right?

I do think it is a one day park, but I feel I missed so much last time. I want to stop and smell the roses this time.

There's a lot that's new now, too!

And see a fellow Disser too!

Next update will be live from Florida!


24 hours from now I will be on the plane heading South!

Wishing you safe travels!

[DisneyJo]

Have a fantastic trip Mo and have a great time with V and Leo

[puggymom]

I'M HERE!!!!!!

Arrived late last night, checked in around 10:30. Flight left what is considered on time out of Newark and arrived 15 minutes early.

Stopped at the super Target on Orange Blossom to get some breakfast stuff for today and tomorrow. Checked in around 10:30.

I am staying at one of Marriott's time shares in a studio (look away DVC owners)

It is far superior (will post pics later).

It is much bigger, comes with filters for the coffee maker, real forks, knifes, spoons, better TV including HBO. THe bed was uber comfy.

I always thought that a WDW studio was small for a family of 4, here I think a family of 4 would be more comfortable, more room to spread out.

Very similar in terms of queen bed, pull out, kitchenette.

Bathroom seems bigger. THe one thing families might not like is the sink is in the bathroom, As a solo traveler doesn't bother me, but I could see it traveling with others would make mornigns a bit tougher.

I'm off to Seaworld today.

Will post some pics tonight.

WOOHOO - let the escape begin!